Japanese Strong Stuff

[accskaguy]

Good beers in this category: Macewan's scotch ale, Innis & Gunn, Closer to home Mcnally's Extra Ale by Big Rock. :)

Also other Belgian style beers that have had a secondary fermentation happening (naturally). In Canada, the Quebec brewery Unibroue make several beers with this style of beermaking technique, and they are *very* strong beers in terms of alcohol content, but are made in that style properly.

[accskaguy]

Yeah... you definately seemed to have chosen a winner this time around. there is a difference though between beer that has been artificially "enhanced" to result in a product with an alcohol content that is above the norm, compared to beer that has naturally been brewed, and in that style of brewing has a higher alcohol content. (Not cheap happoshuu style "beer")

- con't -

[42317]

I recommend you try an original German "Bockbier".

It also has 8 % but its ingredients are well balanced. Its taste has a subtle sweet quality and seems kinda "heavy" - 濃い might be an appropriate term to describe this - while the alcohol is well hidden, so to speak, you'll only feel it, but not taste it.

Good brands are Bruch, Andechs, and Karlsberg (not to be confused with Carlsberg).

[42317]

Long live the German Purity Law!

[klhblues]

I have been seeing this big green bottle of beer that is called Heartland or something... Have you tried it? I heard it is a lite beer(maybe a bad US influence)...If it is, I suppose it has little flavor. I think it is Kirin or Sapporo... I saw it everywhere the past week throughout Tokyo and Kyoto.

[klhblues]

Hi BusanKevin...I was in Chiba two days ago and was about to checkout at at the Supaa with this 8 stuff. Luckily I changed it to something like REAL Japanese beer that I happen to love. By the way, In NY most Japanese beer is made in Canada it seems. MIss Japan already!

[JoeCubicle]

I couldn't agree with you more. The high alcohol stuff always tasted bad and made me gag a little.

[nipunuiet]

Hey Busankevin, thanks for doing this beer review ...Suntory Super strong 8..Not bad eh..! I am more of a Kirin Lemon Cocktail fan ..U know us students, we always live in a park and wanna get messed up once/twice a weekend..!! :P BTW I had heard a lot about Corona but when I tried it last saturday, I didn't find it that good, but I like Sapporo...However, I love Bergen Brau..

[dappel84]

Thanks for taking one for the team;-p

I tried a Budweiser American Ale a couple of weeks ago it was pretty good! But I'm still a big fan of New Castle and Sam Adams;-p

[riztar]

hey one beer you have to try!!! from good old sam addams called ol fezziwig . its a winter ale so keep an eye out for it. its soooooooo good. really mild and not over powering. give that one a try if ya find it.

[geofg]

Ha ha. I haven't tried that one, but I have tried an 8% Chu-hi that is also called, "Strong". If you're just looking for more bang for your buck, it's pretty drinkable at 108 yen per can at my local shop. That beer is like malt liquor back in the States. It doesn't taste good, but it gets you liquored up.

BTW, the coalition for the homeless may file a lawsuit against you for slander (though you did just say "people in a park", without mentioning the "h" word).

[BusanKevin]

I've seen the Strong Chu-hi around, but have only ever had the regular stuff.

As for the coalition for the homeless....let them try....they can never prove I was talking about them in the video ;) hehe

[geofg]

Post script: After watching this, I got curious and went out and bought a "Clear Strong". I've tried various happoushu and dai 3 beer, and some are better than others, but I have to say, Clear Strong is the worst I've ever tasted. I could only manage 3 swallows. I let my wife try, and she shook her head violently and said, "Mazui!"

[BusanKevin]

haha! That is awesome! Well, not awesome that it tastes so bad. I was very curious about it.. Last month, while visiting my wife's relatives, some of them were really enjoying it on a Saturday night. I have no idea why they seemed to like it so much!

It is very nasty. There is one happoshu called "Bergunbrau" i think that goes for about 90¥ a can. That one is on par with Clear Strong!

[uglyengineer]

Probably tastes better than Budweiser though.

[BusanKevin]

haha...true that!

[agentm83]

lol, good review. Thanks for taking one (drinking one in this case) for the team! I traveled to Japan recently and they probably have the most lax liquor laws I've ever seen! I mean beer in vending machines, you'd never get that in Canada! Not that I'm complaining though. :)

[BusanKevin]

There certainly aren't as many boundaries here! This would be a dangerous place for people who have trouble controlling themselves to live!

[agentm83]

Yes it would certainly be dangerous. I wonder if there are higher rates of alcoholism in Japan?

[DerSchnurrbart]

"This is great stuff if you are living in a park." LOL

[BusanKevin]

It's so true!

[YouMockMe]

5% I have to disagree. Look at the extra or double IPAs, they typically have higher APC and WAHOOO!!!.... taste.

Keep in mind that Steel Reserve (211) is not an IPA. :)

[BusanKevin]

I've only ever had regular IPAs. I've nevr had an extra or double. Is that in the U.S.? One of my favorite IPAs is the flagship beer of my home province Nova Scotia. it's called Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale....LOVE it! :)

[YouMockMe]

To be honest I don't know but possibly. The doubles, kings, and extras really didn't become very popular until recently. when people realized that Bud is not the king of beers but the prince of piss. Most of them are small brewers. I live in the North East US where we have A LOT of small brewers.

Basically the IPAs are the standard ingredients. Extras are... extra. Doubles and Kings are stuffed. Think of Sam Adams but better tasting. If you find out that I can ship it, I'll send you a batch.

[Ampex101]

Hehe,Kevin have you tried making your own beer?

ive tried it a few times i got about 50Liters.

Which is well ''ok'' i say that lightly ,it's very very bitter,and you realize how much sugar it really contains,haha and i taped it in 1.5Liter cola bottles classy i know ;) hehe:P

[BusanKevin]

I haven't, but I am often curious to try. I'd love to make my own beer, but I think I'd get such a massive beer gut! hehe

[reaper4255]

Is wheat beer common in Japan?

I'd like to have a Schneider Weisse while I'm visiting =P

I've had Hitachino white ale before, and it was pretty good! Any other wheat beer you would reccomend?

[monme375]

Actually 'happoshu' means beer that uses less than 67% malt... I don't think it has anything to do with hops. There are lots of good, higher alcohol-percentage beers out there... lots of IPAs come to mind :)

[NodnarbRS]

I live in a park ;D

[BusanKevin]

Looks like your park has internet access....sweet!

[NodnarbRS]

Well you know its a pretty posh kouen ;D

[phampants]

Ever had 12% beer? Cuz I can't remember. =P

[BusanKevin]

haha...I think 8-9% is the strongest I can ever remember :p

[AjikanPanda]

* Is the 5% like non alcoholic?

[BusanKevin]

haha..no 5% can get me quite messed up!

[AjikanPanda]

ビル!

[dbc6060]

I agree, beer does taste better when it's 5%. anything above (up to 10%) hardly has any flavor.

and when I buy beer, I buy with good taste in mind, not high percentage :)

[BusanKevin]

I agree 100%!

[Draquoir]

Oh, I saw people drinking this at the party I was at. Good review.

[BusanKevin]

i suppose it is a bargain beer! This would be popular with college/uni students back home.

[khmaster12]

The question is, what did Steve think of this beer?

[BusanKevin]

That is a good question indeed. I couldn't get hold of him yesterday to help me out though!

[reynoldsair]

Yay for beer reviews.

Looks like you beat me to this one. I haven't even seen it in the store...

[BusanKevin]

Finally! I got to one before you did. Unfortunately, it happens to taste like ass!

[reynoldsair]

As much as I hate to write "lol," I really did laugh out loud when I read your comment.

[Radrey]

thank you Kevin for such a great review. I just had this beer a few weeks ago during halloween. I agree 100% with you on this review.

[BusanKevin]

It is quite nasty! And....I have to admit, I finished the can :(

[bestiaccia]

Live in a park, lol ^.^

[BusanKevin]

for sure! :)

[thatjapanesegirl]

Those glasses are funny. I like them :)

[BusanKevin]

Thanks. I like them too. Got them at Tokyu Hands!

[daichensworld]

the park comment cracked me up lmao.

[BusanKevin]

It's so true though!

[sonyofsamsung]

I disagree with you Kevin because top class Belgium beer with 11%-13% alcohol is delicious.

[qchome]

he isn't really giving a beer review,he is just being funny/entertaining.i really,really,really hope i am not wrong!

[sonyofsamsung]

I take my beer seriously ;-)!

[BusanKevin]

Well, this one certainly doesn't taste good ;)

[qiranger]

great stuff if you live in a park...

[BusanKevin]

absolutely! Park folks would be a huge fan of this one!

[TheJapanChannelDcom]

There will be some salarymen falling over from that one :-D

[BusanKevin]

absolutely! I can see them teetering on the train right now!

[allaboutthemusicBOB]

If you want to taste good beer you should go to belgium they have the best beer in the world !

[BusanKevin]

I would love too! I enjoy Belgium beers! Hopefully I can get there someday :)

[MicknFumi]

lol at if you live in a park & wanna get messed up. 8% is way too high for me. I tend to enjoy my 2nd or 3rd beer more than my 1st...but damn 8%, I drink light beer. Not light on calories, but 3.5% alc content. I always find myself with a hangover after drinking Japanese beer, coz they all seem to be 5%, I'm on holiday & tend to drink quite a few. Are lower alc beers available? Like 3.5%.

[BusanKevin]

i tend to enjoy 5%. No more. Most beers here are that percentage. I've never seen ones as low as 3-3.5% here or even in Canada!

[MicknFumi]

Yeah I tried to find a light beer over there last year & couldn't find any. They're common & quite popular over here. I'm surprised Japan don't have any, they have such a variety of everything else.

[Graehaus]

6% is the max for me.

[BusanKevin]

I understand!

[Lucky21842]

my favorite beer is free followed by close second cheap, we have some horrible cheap beer here that makes you wish you could cut your head off the next morning

[BusanKevin]

I'm sure if you had more than one of these, you'd want to cut your own head off!

[Ampex101]

Mmm that made me thirsty too bad i drank all my beer last night :P

I kinda like the high alcohol beers 7-10% it just the first Sip that gets me off guard after that it's good.

only thing you don't wanna drink too many off them :P

[BusanKevin]

You have to be careful with the high percentage ones. they can be sneaky!

[mhensley81]

LOL way to take one for the team!

[BusanKevin]

I'm selfless that way! I always think of the people first ;)

[vader19907]

is their supposed to be a wierd sound when u display warning

[BusanKevin]

yes! I added that.....

[APOKALYPSE34]

the ending made my day! your one funny guy BUSAAANNNN!

[BusanKevin]

thanks a lot! It was for the park people :)

[hmjgriffon]

You want to die drinking cheap beer?

[BusanKevin]

haha...a few mouthful are ok for a video. No more than that though :)